Apparatus for treating materials with compressed fluid



Jan. 5, 1965 P. KUNZ 3,164,181

APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIALS WITH COMPRESSED FLUID Filed Jan. 8, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 1 lm zwrap Pa. u Z R u n 2 Jan. 5, 1965 P. KUNZ 3,164,181

APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIALS WITH COMPRESSED FLUID Filed Jan. 8, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTU/P a 2; Ra 222 711z'c/1a e! S. Striker 5, 1965 P. KUNZ 3,164,181

APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIALS WITH COMPRESSED FLUID Filed Jan. 8, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 II n Jan. 5, 1965 u z 3,164,181

APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIALS WITH COMPRESSED FLUID Filed Jan. 8, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 5:: I M; l

/NVE/V70 Q 222 It 1 HQ 12 z ATTORNEY Jan. 5, 1965 P. KUNZ 3,164,181

, APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIALS WITH COMPRESSED FLUID Filed Jan. 8, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 5 W n/r01 Pd u Z Hz 12 2 7771012026! 3. SEN/car HTTORNEY P. KUNZ APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIALS WITH COMPRESSED FLUID Filed Jan. 8, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 m 4Q wk mxx lzvrz-wrop Rizal #24272 35/ /771c 7102a] 5. Strike? Jam-5, 1965 KUNZ 3,164,181

APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIALS WITH COMPRESSED FLUID Filed Jan. 8, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 l/wnvrap 712, u l Hu 7': 2

711ichlel 5?. Striker Arne/v5) Jan. 5, 1965 P. KUNZ 3,164,181

APPARATUS F OR TREATING MATERIALS WITH COMPRESSED FLUID Filed Jan. 8, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 a 18.9 p 4 433 10/ 40:? I 32 1 424* I Y 47/ J3 M7 40,0 \Jflb Ma 102a.

W n/roe 7f/z'chdel s. Sinker United States Patent )Ofiice 3,164,181 Patented Jan. 5, 1965 25 Claims. (c1. 14647) The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating materials with compressed fluid, especially with highly compressed steam. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus which is especially suited for loosening the rind or skin or peel on, or for totally separating the skin from, potatoes and other edible substances. However, the apparatus of my invention is equally useful for treatment of manufactured products and goods by contact with steam or with other types of compressed fluid media.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which may serve as a peeling or skinning machine and which is constructed and assembled in such a way that the duration ofv contact between the material to be treated and the compressed fluid may be controlled with utmost accuracy.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the just outlined characteristics whose pressure vessel in which the material is brought into contact with the compressed fluid is constructed and assembled in such a way that the fluid can be brought into contact with the .material only when the material admitting and evacuating opening or openings are properly sealed from the atmosphere whereby the personnel in charge of the apparatus is protected against injury and the duration 'of contact betweenthe material and the fluid may be regulated in a fully automatic way.

. A further object of the invention is to provide a peeling or skinning machine of the above outlined characteristics which is constructed and assembled in such a way that the material may be discharged automatically as soon as the fluid is permitted to escape from.the pressure vessel.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a' novel pressure vessel for use in an apparatus of the above outlined characteristics.

-A concomitant object of the invention is to provide improved actuating means for the closure which controls the opening of the pressure vessel and'to construct the actuating means in such a way that the admission of compressed fluid into the internal chamber of thevessel cannot precede the closing and sealing of the opening through which the material to be treated is admitted into or evacuated from the vessel.

With the above objects in view, the invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for treating materials, for example potatoes and other agricultural products, by contact with a compressed fluid, particularly steam. The apparatus comprises a source of compressed fluid, a pressure vessel having a material admitting opening and comprising a closure for the opening which closure is movable between an open and a sealing position, and actuating means for moving the closure to sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid to the internal chamber of the pressure vessel. The actuating means comprises a valved conduit connected with the source of compressed fluid and including a portion which communicates with the internal chamber of the vessel, and a piston reciprocably received in the conduit and operatively connected with the closure to move the latter to sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid into the conduit. The piston seals the aforementioned portion of the conduit from the source of compressed fluid when the closure is in open position and permits inflow of fluid into the internal chamber of the vessel only when the closure seals the opening. The conduit normally comprises a cylinder which receives the piston, and the aforementioned conduit portion may assume the form of one or more ducts or tubular conductors which connect the internal space of the cylinder with. the internal chamber of the vessel.

A return spring normally maintains the closure in open position so that the closure seals the opening of the vessel only when and as soon as the valve or valves in the supply conduit permit inflow of compressed fluid into the vessel. I prefer to construct the pressure vessel in such a way that at least one of its end sections is of non-cylindrical shape; for example, such end section may be of cupped, semispherical or frustoconical form to facilitate evacuation of treated material from the internal chamber of the vessel. ,The opening is normally located in the central porton of a non-cylindrical end section.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an apparatus including a pressure vessel which is constructed and mounted in accordance with one embodiment of my invention, a portion of the outer frame of the apparatus being broken away;

FIG. 2 is an end evelational view of the apparatus as seen from the right-hand side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an endelevational view of the apparatus as seen from the left-hand side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary 'vertical section through the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3, showing in greater detail the construction and mounting of the pressure vessel and of the actuating means forthe closure which controls the material admitting opening of the vessel;

'FIGl 4a is a greatly enlarged fragmentary axial section through a portion of the pressure vessel and through a valved discharge conduit through which spent fluid is evacuated from the internal chamber of the vessel;

FIG. 5 is a partly elevational andpartly sectional view of a slightly modified pressure vessel and of a modified closure;

FIG. 6 is a partly elevational and partly sectional view of a diflerent pressure vessel which comprises two substantially hemispherical sections;

FIG. 7 is'an axial section through a further pressure vessel which comprises a conical section and a cupped section and wherein the cylinder of the actuating means for the closure is mounted externally on the cupped section;

FIG. 8 is an axial section'through an additional pressure vessel which comprises two substantially conical.

pressure vessel which accommodates a frustoconical clo-= sure The apparatus of FIGS, 1 to 4a is assumed to be utilized for loosening the skin off potatoes by contact with compressed steam. This apparatus comprises a housing or outer frame 75, best shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, which accommodates a specially constructed and specially mounted pressure vessel 1 shown in full detail in FIGS. 4 and 4a. The vessel comprises a hollow cylindrical central section or course 3, acupped upper course or section 2 which is connected to one axial end'ofthe central section by a welded seam 5, and a substantiallyconical hollow lower section or course 4 whose larger-diameter upper end portion is integralwith the other axial end of the central section. The section 4 bulges outwardly so as to provide a smooth transition into the lower end of thecentral section 3. It can be said that the sections 2 and 4 resemble portions of hollow spherical bodies.

The material of the vessel 1 is preferably a hot-pressed metallic substance.

The smaller-diameter end portion of the section 4 defines a material admitting opening 7 which communicates with the internal chamber 1a of the vessel, In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the opening 7 is surrounded by an annular flange 8 which is welded to the conical section 4 and which serves as a means for reinforcing the vessel. In addition, theflange 8.'supports a second flange 9 for a funnel 19 through which material to be treated is admitted into the chamber 1a when the vessel assumes the position of FIG; 1. The means for detachably securing the flange 9 to the flange 8 comprises a series of connecting elements here shown as bolts 11 and nuts 12. A sealing washer 13 which is interposed between the flanges 8, 9 may be engaged by a closure or cover 14 which is accommodated in the internal chamberla and which serves to expose 'or to seal the opening 7. In FIG. 4, the closure 14 isshown in sealing position in which it abuts against the washer 13, and more particularly against that portion of the washer which is adjacent to the innermost zone of the upper end face of the flange 9. 'It'is possible to omit the washer 13 and to move the cover. 14 intodir cct sealing engagement with 3 The opening 7 is located at one axial end of the presclosure 14ito' the sealing position of FIG. 4 in response to admissiomof compressed steam into the chamber In, and this cylinder also forms part of a composite supply conduit which connects-the vessel'l vw'th a source CF. of compressed fluid; e.g., a steam generator or. the like. The upper end portion of; the cylinder 16, as viewed in FIG. 4, carries a flange 2t) which issdetachably secured to a flange 19 provided at the discharge end of a pressureresistant pipe 17 so that the cylinder may receive steam in the axial direction of the vessel. The connecting means for securing the flange lfi to. the flangeztlcomprises bolts 21 and nuts.22. p

The cylinder 16 accommodates a reciprocable piston 23 which also, constitutesvan element of the actuating means for the closure14 and which'is operatively connected with this closure-by means of an elongated piston rod 24. one-end of'which is providedwith externalithreads and mates with intemal threads inYa' centralbor'e of the closure 14. The other end of the piston rod 24- receives nuts 24av by means of whichth'eefl'ective length of the" piston rod may be. varied'to insure that the closure 14 seals theope'ning 7 in responsetof a selected stroke of the'piston '23. It will be noted that'th'e piston rod 24 constitutes a direct operative connection between the closure 14 and the piston 23.

The inner end portion of the cylinder 16 carries a sleeve 25 for an annular gasket 26 which sealingly surrounds the piston rod 24 to prevent bleeding of compressed fluid but to permit axial displacements of the piston 23 in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow A. The piston is permanently biased by a resilient element here shown as a helical spring 27 which is interposed between the underside of the piston and the sleeve 25 and which tends to maintain the closure 14 in open position so that a new supply of material may be introduced into the chamber 1a or that material whose treatment was just completed may be evacuated from the vessel 1. The spring 27 acts in a sense to move the piston upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 4 (see the arrow B), so that the cover 14 assumes an open position if no steam is admitted into the cylinder 16, The piston 23 then moves toward the discharge end of the pipe 17 and comes to rest in an idle position which is indicated by a line C. In such position of the piston 23, the compression of the spring 27 i negligible and, in order to prevent excessive retraction of the piston, the apparatus preferably comprises a second helical spring 28 which is disposed around the piston rod 24 between the outer end of the sleeve 2-5 and the closure 14 to hold the closure against actual abutment with the sleeve. One end of the spring 28 which thus acts as a cushioning means for the cover 14 is secured to the sleeve 25.

The cylinder 16 is provided with a series of radially extending ducts 29 which provide communicating passages between the internal chamber 1a and the internal space of the cylinder. These ducts are normally sealed from the pipe 17 and hence from the source CF because the piston 23 normally assumes a position in which it extends to the line C. However, when the pipe 17 admits compressed fluid into the cylinder 16, the piston moves to the position of FIG. 4 and exposes the ducts 29 so that fluid may enter the internal chamber 1a only when the closure 14 seals the opening 7. In other words, the actuating means including the parts 16, 17-, 23, 24 insures that the vessel 1 can receive compressed fluid only after the closure 14 is automatically moved to scaling position because the ducts 29 are exposed only at such times when the piston 23 has completed a stroke whose length is suflicient to insure that the closure is in sealing engagement with the washer 13.

In order to insure that they material contained in the chamber 1a is thoroughly contacted by compressed fluid which is admitted through the ducts 29, the vessel 1 is mounted in such a way that it may rotate about a horizontal axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder 1c. The axisof the cylinder 16 coincides with v the symmetry axis ofthe vessel.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 4a, the means for supporting the vessel for rotation about a horizontal axis comprises two coaxial nipples 32, 33 which are welded to the opposite Sides of the central section 3 and which are respectively connectedwith two hollow shafts 34, 35. Each nipple carries a flange 36 which is in faceto-face abutment with a flange, 36a press-fitted onto the respective shaft, and the means for pressing the flanges 36a against the respective flanges 36 comprises rings 37, bolts 38 and nuts 39. A sealing washer is normally interposed between each pair of flanges 36, 36a to prevent leakage of compressed fluid fromthe chamber 1a.

The shaft 34 is rotatable in an antifriction bearing 41 which is accommodated in a. bearing support 41% forming part of onsecured to the frame 75. The shaft 34 is formed with .an axial bore 43 and with a radial bore 44 which communicates with the bore 43. The intake end of the valve 63, compressed steam may flow through the pipe 42,

through the bores 43, 44, through a pressure-resistant flexible supply pipe 49, through the pipe 17, and into the cylinder 16 to move the piston 23in a sense to insure that the closure 14 seals the opening 7 before the piston exposes the ducts 29 and permits entry of steam into the chamber In. The bore 44 extends into a radial nipple 45 of the shaft 34, and this nipple carries a flange 46 which is connected by means of bolts 48 and nuts 48' with a flange 47 provided at the intake end of the flexible pipe 4). The discharge end of thepipe 49 is provided with a flange 50 which is detachably connected with a flange 51 at the intake end of the pipe 17. It will be readily understood that the pipe 42 is sealingly secured to the intake end of the hollow shaft 34, for example,.by means of a stufling box 42a or the like. This sealing means 42a permits the shaftto rotatewith respect to the pipe 42 whereby the pipes 49, 17 rotate with the shaft and with the vessel 1.

It will be noted that the conduit which supplies compressed fluid to the internal chamber In comprises the cylinder 16, the shaft 34, and the pipes 42, 49, 17, and that a portion of the cylinder 16 (i.e., that portion which is spaced from the discharge end of the pipe 17 and which is provided with the ducts 29) communicates with the internal chamber 1a.

' The apparatus further comprises a second conduit which discharges spent steam from the chamber 1a. This conduit includes the aforementioned shaft 35 which is formed with an axial bore 52 communicating with the internal space 53 of the nipple 33 and which receives a discharge pipe 54, the latter being provided with a regulating valve 64. The pipe 54 is stationary and extends through a stuffing box 55 which enables the shaft '35 to rotate with respect to the pipe 54 without any leakage of compressed fluid around the pipe.

The shaft 35 is rotatable in an antifriction bearing 57 which is received in a stationary bearing support 56 forming part of the outer frame 75, see particularly FIG. 1. The means for driving the shafts 34, 35 and for thereby rotating the vessel 1 about the common axis of these shafts comprises a pulley 58 which is non-rotatably secured to the shaft 35, a V belt 62 (see FIG. 1) which is trained around a second pulley 58a on the output shaft 61 of a transmission 60 which is mounted in the frame 75 and which is driven by a variable-speed electric motor 59.

The control system of the apparatus includes the aforementioned valves 63, 64 and a relief valve 65 provided in a pipe 66 branching off the pipe 42, see FIG. 4. The

pressure of fluid passing through the valve 63 is indicated by a manometer 67 which is shown in FIG. 1.

The apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 4a operates as follows, it being assumed that the compressed fluid is steam and that the material to be treated in the chamberla is a mass of potatoes whose skin has to be loosened sufliciently to bereadily'separable from the remainder of the mate rial in a subsequent step.

The valve 63 is closed and the valves 64, 65 are open so that the pressure prevailing in the chamber la equals atmospheric pressure. The spring 27 maintains the dos ure 14 in open position and the piston 23 is in idle position indicated by the line C in FIG. 4. The inner side of the cover 14 is then at the level of a line D shown in FIG. 4. The vessel -1 does not rotate and its opening 7 faces upwardly so as to admit anew supply of material which is being introduced through a hopper',75a shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the funnel is now in registry with the hopper 75a.

The volume of newly admitted material normally does not exceed two thirds of the total capacity of the pressure vessel 1.

44 or the shaft 34, through the pipes 49, 17, and into the internal space of the cylinder 16 to move the piston23 toward the opening 7 and to advance the closure 14 to sealing position, i.e., into engagement with the detachable flange 9 or with the washer 13. The arrow B in FIG. 4 indicates the direction of movement of the piston rod 24 when the closure 14 is advanced to sealing position. The strength of the spring 27 and the diameter of the piston 23 are selected in such a way that the spring 27 yields and permits the closure 14 to move to its sealing position when the pressure of steam flowing into the cylinder 16 corresponds to minimal operatingpressure necessary to treat the material in the chamber 1a. As soon as the closure 14 seals the opening 7, the piston 23 exposes the ducts 29 and the fluid is free to enter the chamber 1a. Of course, the fluid entering the chamber 1a exerts a pressure against the inner side of the closure 14 and thereby insures that the closure bears against the washer 13, with a force which is always sufficient to prevent uncontrolled escape of fluid from the vessel 1. The total cross sectional area of the ducts 29 is correlated to the diameter of the cylinder 16 in such a way that the pressure prevailing in the cylinder is always sufficient to maintain the piston 23 in the operative position of FIG. 4 as long as the valve 63 admits steam through the composite supply conduit 42, 34, 49, 17,16. H

The vessel 1is then set in rotary motion by starting the motor 59 or by drivingly connecting the motor 59 with the output shaft 61 of the transmission 60, whereby the ma-v terial contained in the chamber 1a is agitated and is thoroughly contacted by the fluid. If desired, the motor 59 may run continuously and the operator merely connects or disconnects the transmission shaft 61 when he desires to set the vessel in rotary motion or to bring such rotary movement to a halt.

After elapse of aperiod of time necessary to insure that the treatment of material in the chamber 1a is completed, the operator closes the valve 63 and opens the valves 64, 65. The vessel 1 may continue to rotate about the common axis ofthe shafts 34, 35. As soon as pressure in the chamber 1a drops to or near to atmospheric pressure (for example, to 0.1 atmospheres absolute pressure), the spring 27 moves the closure 14 to open position (i.e., the piston moves'to the line C) and the material may be discharged automatically by centrifugal force to accumulate in a funnel-shaped collecting chute 68 provided in the frame 75. This chuteleads the material laterally from the apparatus (see FIG. 1) and delivers the material into a basket, into a barrel or into another type of container (not shown). If the material to. be treated is a mass of potatoes which are treated by contact with compressed steam, the treatment results in loosening of the skin so that the material discharged through the collecting chute 68 may be transferred into a washing machine wherein the skin is separated by streams of a washing medium.

If desired, the vessel 1 may be brought to a halt'with the opening 7 facing downwardly and, as soon as the valves 64, 65 are opened, the material is discharged by gravity feed to enter the collecting chute- 68 and to advance into a collecting container. When the chamber 1a is empty, the operator causes the drive means to turn the vessel through 180 degrees so that the opening 7 faces upwardly and is ready to admit a new supply of material which is being delivered through the hopper a.

An important advantage of the automatic actuating means for the closure 14 is that the personnel in charge of the apparatus is protected against injury because material cannot be admitted into or evacuated from the vessel unless the pressure prevailing in the chamber 1a approximates atmospheric pressure. Thus, the closure 14 must seal the opening 7 whenever compressed fluid is free to flow into the chamber 1a. apparatus renders it possible to provide very simple and highly reliable automatic controls to regulate the sequence of operation and, furthermore, no damage can result from improper handling of the apparatus' The pressure vessel 101 of FIG. 5 differentiates from Such construction of the tends through a slightly modified closure 114 is provided with external threads to receive lock nuts 131 which serve to adjust the effective length of the piston rod. The closure 114 comprises a conical skirt 130 which facilitates evacuation of material from the internal chamber 101a, and it will be noted that the outer side of the closure may abut directly against a slightlymodified detachable flange W9.

Otherwise, the construction of the apparatus shown in FIG. is the same as that of the previously described apparatus and its parts are identified by identical reference numerals.

Referring to FIG. 6, the pressure vessel 201 comprises two identically dimensioned cupped sections 292, 202a of substantially hemispherical shape. Otherwise, the construction of the apparatus which embodies this vessel is the same as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4a excepting that the closure 214 assumes a form substantially as shown in FIG. 5. The sections 2&2, 2632a facilitate automatic evacuation of material when the closure 214 is moved to i open position because thematerial'is automatically compelled to pass through the opening, either by centrifugal force if the vessel rotates, orby gravity if the vessel is arrested in the position of FIG. 6.

' In FIG. 7, the vessel 301 comprises a cupped or hemispherical section 302 and a hollow conical section 304 whose smaller-diameter end portion defines the opening 3&7 adapted to be sealed by a closure 314. The cylinder 316 is located externally'of thevesselfitll and is secured to the section 3'tt2. That portion of the cylinder 316 which communicates with the internal chamber Sula of the vessel Sill assumes the form of tubular conductors 369 and the intake ends of these conductors are exposed automatically to permit inflow of compressed fluid into the chambers 38141 as soon as the piston 323 moves the closure 314 to sealing-position.

FIG. 8 shows a' pressure vessel which comprises a 1101- low cylindrical central section 403 and two hollow conical sections 402, 402 The cylinder 416 is accommodated in the internal chamber 4ll1a, and the operative connection between the piston 423' and the closure 414 is of the indirect type. 414a, 4141; which are articulately connected to each other by a hinge 47th, and the pintle of this hinge carries a bracket 47lwhich is connected to the outer end of the piston rod 424. Theouter portions of the plates 41 3a,

, 41411 carry rollers 472 which travelin suitable guideways provided a on the, section 402a. -The opening 407 is bounded by a suitable sealing lip orstrip 472a which is 'e-ngagedzby the'plates 414a, 4145 to seal the opening 407 --when the closure 414 assumes the position of FIG. 8.

The cylinder 416 is formed with ducts 429 which permit .inflow of compressed fluid into the-chamber 101a when the closure 4-14- seals the opening407; When the closure 4-14 moves to its open position, the plates 414a, 414k form a structure resembling the letter V.

, Referring to- FIG. 9, there is shown a'modified pressure vessel-501' wherein the cylinder 516 replaces the nipple 32 of FIG. 4. The closure'sld assumes the form of a lid .which is hinged to the cupped section 594 of the vessel and which is connected with the piston rod 524 by a link train including a bell crank lever 573 pivotable around a pin 5.74 which is secured to the section 5434, and a link 576 which ispivoted to the closure 514, as at 577. The link s'lcarries a stop plate 576a which holds the lever-573 against further angular movement about the pin 574 when the closure 514fassumes1its sealing position andcloses'the Thus, the closure comprises two plates 8 opening 507 and when one arm of the lever 573 is aligned with the link 576. The piston S23 moves in a direction indicated by the arrow F and rocks the lever 573 in a clockwise direction when the cylinder 516 receives compressed fluid and, as soon as the closure 514 seals the opening 5W, the piston 523 exposes the ducts 529 and permits inflow of compressed fluid into the chamber 501a.

Itwill be noted that the cylinder need not always be located in the symmetry axis of the pressure vessel, i.e., that the axis of the cylinder need not always be perpendicular to the axis about which the vessel rotates. Of course, the axis of the cylinder 516 may make an acute angle with the axis of the nipple 33.

FIG. 10 illustrates a pressure vessel 6G1 which comprises a single section 604 of hollow frustoconical shape. The opening 667 is located at the smaller-diameter end of this section. The closure 514 is also of frustoconical shape and is reciprocable by a piston rod 624 which extends into a cylinder 616 fully accommodated in the internal chamber dtila. The pipe 17 is omitted and the flexible pipe 4% is connected directly to the intake end of the cylinder did. The conicity of the closure 614 at least approximates the conicity of the section 604.

In all embodiments of my invention, the axis about which the pressure vessel rotates preferably passes through the center of gravity of the vessel.

An important advantage of a non-cylindrical pressure vessel, i.e., of a vessel whose end sections preferably assume a cupped, conical or semispherical shape, is that the evacuation of material from such vessels is much more rapid and that no means must be provided to facilitate evacuation when the treatment of material is completed. Furthermore, since the closure is actuated in a fully automatic way, the intervals of idleness of the apparatus are reduced to a minimum so that the output of the improved apparatus is much higher than the output of all such conventional apparatus of which I have knowledge at this time. In many conventional apparatus, the closure must be manipulated by hand and the operator is never sure whether or not the pressure prevailing in the vessel is low enough to avoid injury or damage when the closure is moved to open position.

When the apparatus of my invention is used as a means for loosening the skin of potatoes or other agricultural products, the compressed fluid is preferably saturated steam which is maintained at a temperature of about C., and the duration of treatment of potatoes is normally between 30-50 seconds. If a potato is subjected to a longer-lasting action of saturated steam at such temperatures, the steam not only loosens the skin but also atfects the edible layer immediately beneath the skin.

Y As stated hereinabove, the apparatus of my invention is useful not only for treatrnent of agricultural products but also for treatment of manufactured products or goods whenever such products or goods must be brought into intimate contact with a compressed gaseous or liquid medium.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essenial characeristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention, and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an internal chamber and a material admitting opening and comprising a closure for said opening, said closure being movable between an open and a sealing position; and actuating means for moving said closure to sealing position, said actuating means c0rnprising a valved conduit connected with said source and having a portion communicating with said chamber, and a piston reciprocably received in said conduit and operatively connected with said closure to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid to said conduit, said piston sealing said conduit portion from said source when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said openin 2. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an internal chamber and a material admitting opening and comprising a closure for said opening, said closure being accommodated in said chamber and being movable between a sealing and an open position; and actuating means for moving said closure to sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid to said chamber, said actuating means comprising a valved conduit connected with said source and having a portion in communication with said chamber, and a piston reciprocably received in said conduit and operatively connected with said closure to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid into said conduit, said piston sealing said source from said conduit portion when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said opening.

3. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an internal chamber and a material admitting opening and comprising a closure for said openings, said closure being movable between an open and a sealing position; and actuating means for moving said closure to sealing position, said actuating means comprising a valved conduitconnected with said source and having a portion communicating with said chamber, and a piston reciprocably received in said conduit and directly connected with said closure to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid to said conduit, said piston sealing saidconduit portion from said source when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said opening.

4. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an internal chamber and a material admitting opening and comprising a closure received in said conduit, and a link train connecting said piston with said closure to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid to and in response to resultant displacement of the piston in said conduit, said piston sealing said conduit portion from said source when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said opening.

5. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an internal chamber and a material admitting opening and comprising a closure for said opening, said closure being movable between an open and a sealing position; actuating means for moving said closure to sealing position, said actuating means comprising a valved conduit connected with said source and having a portion communicating with said chamber, and a piston reciprocably received in said conduit and operatively connected with said closure to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid to said conduit, said piston sealing said conduit portion from said source when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said opening; and resilient means for permanently biasing said closure to open position.

6. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an internal chamber and comprising a hollow cylindrical central section, a cupped section rigid with one end of said central section, a hollow conical section having a larger-diameter end portion rigid with the other end of said central section and a smaller-' conduit, said piston sealing said conduit portion from I said source when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said opening.

7. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising asource of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an internal chamber and comprising two identically configurated cupped sections one of'which is provided with a material admitting open-- ing, and a closure for said opening, said closure being movable between an open and a sealing position; and actuating means for moving said closure to sealing position, said actuating means comprising a valved conduit connected with said source and having a portion communicating'with said chamber, and a piston reciprocably received in said conduit and operatively connected with said closure to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid to .said conduit, said piston sealing said conduit portion from said source when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said opening. a

8. An apparatus for treatingmate'rials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source'of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an'inter'nal chambe'rjand comprising a cupped section and a hollow conical section having a larger-diameter end portion rigid with said cupped section and a smaller-diameter end portion de- 1 fining a material admitting opening, and a closure for said opening, said closure being movable between an open and a sealing position; and actuating means for moving said closure to sealing position, said actuating means comprising a valved conduit connected with said source and having a portion communicating with said chamber, and

a piston reciprocably received in said conduit and operatively connected 'with said closure'to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid to said conduit, said piston sealing said conduit portion from said source when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said opening.

9. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising asource of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an internal chamber and comprising a hollow substantially hemispherical section and a cupped section rigid with said hemispherical section, one of said sections defining a material admitting opening and the vessel further comprising a closure for said opening, said closure being movable betweenan open and a sealing position; and actuating'means for'moving said closure to scaling position, said actuating means comprising a valved conduit connected with said source and having a portion communicating with said chamber,

and a piston reciprocably received in said conduit and ll r operatively connected'with said closure'to have the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of'fluid into said conduit, said piston sealing said C0111 duit portion from said source when the closure isin open positionrwhereby the fluid can'enter said; chamber only when the closure seals said openin 10. Anfapparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a sour'ce'of compressed fluid; a hollow frustoconical pressure vessel having an internal chamber and a material admitting opening and comprising a closure ,for said opening, said closure being movable between an open and a sealing position; and

actuating means for moving saidclos'ureto sealing position, said actuating means comprising a valved conduit connected with said source and having a portion communicating with said chamber, and a piston reciprocably received in said conduit and operatively connected with said closure to move: the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of fluid into said, conduit, said piston sealing said conduit portion from said source when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said opening.

11. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed'fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; atpressure vessel consisting of hot-pressed metallic material, said'vessel' having an internal chamber and a.

material admitting opening and comprising a closure for said opening, said closure being movable between an open and a sealing position; and actuating means for movingsaid closure, to scaling position, said actuating means;

comprising a valved conduit connected with said source and having a portion communicating with said chamber,

and a piston reciprocably received in said. conduit and operatively connected with said closure to moveth'e closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid tov said conduit, said pistonsealing said conduit portion from said source when the closure is inv open position whereby the fluid canenter said chamber only'when the closure seals saidopenin 4 12. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with afcompre'ssed fluid, comprisi'nga' source of compressed fluid; a presure vessel having an internal chamber and a material admitting opening and comprising a closure for said opening, said closure being movable between an open and'a sealing position;"and actuating means for moving said closureito sealingposition, said actuating means comprising a valved conduit connected with said source andfluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals saidopening.

. 13. Anapparatusas set-forth in claim 12, further comprising means for changing the eflective length of said piston rod. i

'14. An apparatus for treating materials bycontact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an internal chamber and a materialadmitting opening; an annular flange outwardly adjace'ntt'o said opening; connecting means detachably seduring said flange to said vessel; aclosure for said opening, said closure being received in said chamber and being movable into engagement with and away from said flange to respectively assume a'sealing and-an open-position; and actuating means for moving said closure to scaling position, said actuating means comprising a valved conduit connected with said source and having a portion communicating with said chamben'aud a piston reciprocably received in-said conduit and operatively connected with said closure to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid into said conduit, said piston sealing said conduit portion from said source when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said opening.

15. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an internal chamber and a material admitting opening; a first annular flange rigid with said vessel and surrounding said opening; a second annular flange outwardly adjacent to said iirst flange; connecting means detachably securing said second flange to said first flange; a closure for said opening, said closure being received in said chamber and being movable into engagement with and away from said second flange to respectively assume a seaiing and an open position; and actuating means for moving said closure to sealing position, said actuating means comprising a valved conduit connected with said source and having a portion communicating with said chamber, and a piston reciprocably received in said conduit and operatively connected with said closure to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid into said conduit, said piston sealing said conduit portion from said source when the closure is in open position whereby the fluid can enter said chamber only when the closure seals said opening.

16. An apparatus for contacting materials with a compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel defining an internal chamber and a material admitting opening and comprising a closure for said opening, said closure being movable between an open and a sealing position; and actuating means for moving said closure to scaling position in response to admission of compressed fluid into said chamber, said actuating means comprising a hollow cylinder having a first portion and a spaced second portion, duct means communicatively connecting said first portion with said chamber, valved supply pipe means communicatively connecting said second portion with said source, and a piston reciprocably received in said cylinder and operatively connected with said closure to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid into said cylinder, said piston being normally located between said first and second portions and permitting the compressed fluid to flow through said first portion and into said chamher only when the closure seals said opening.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said first portion of the cylinder extends into said chamber,

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said cylinder is located externally of said chamber and further comprising tubular conductor means communicatively connecting said first cylinder portion with said chamber.

19. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel defining an internal chamber and a;material admitting opening and comprising a closure for said opening, said closure being movable between an open and a sealing position; actuating means for moving said closure to sealing position, said actuating means comprising a valved supply conduit connected with said source and having duct means communicating with said chamber, said conduit comprising a hollow shaft spaced from said duct means and connected with one side of said vessel, .a piston reciprocably received in said conduit and normally located between said shaft and said duct means, and an operative connection between said piston and said closure to move the closure to sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid through said shaft, said piston permitting the fluid to flow through said duct means and into said chamber when the closure seals said opening; discharge conduit means comprising a second shaft coaxial with said first mentioned shaft and connected with the other side of said vessel; and means for driving one of said shafts and for thereby rotating said vessel about the common axis of said shafts.

20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein said opening is located substantially midway between said shafts, and further comprising collecting means adjacent to said vessel for receiving material from said chamber when said closure moves to open position.

21. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel defining an internal chamber and a material admitting opening; a closure for said opening, said closure being movable with respect to said vessel between an open and a sealing position; and actuating means comprising a movable portion arranged to move from a first position to a second position in response to pressure exerted thereon by compressed fluid, connecting means operatively connecting said movable portion with said closure so that when said movable portion is moved from said first position to said second position said closure is moved in response thereto from said open to said sealing position, and fluid directing means for directing compressed fluid against said movable portion at the same time as compressed fluid is admitted into said chamber so that said movable portion will automatically move said closure to sealing position whenever compressed fluid from said source is admitted into said chamber so that the chamber may receive compressed fluid only when said opening is sealed.

22. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel comprising a plurality of interconnected sections including an end section of non-cylindrical shape, said sections defining an internal chamber and said end section having a centrally located material admitting opening; a closure for said opening, said closure being movable with respect to said vessel between an open and a sealing position; and actuating means comprising a movable portion arranged to move from a first position to a second position in response to pressure exerted thereon by compressed fluid, connecting means operatively connecting said movable portion with said closure so that when said movable portion is moved from said first position to said second position said closure is moved in response thereto from said open to said sealing position, and fluid directing means for directing compressed fluid against said movable portion at the same time as compressed fluid is admitted into said chamber so that said movable portion will automatically move said closure to sealing position whenever compressed fluid from said source is admitted into said chamber so that the chamber may receive compressed fluid only when said opening is sealed.

23. An apparatus for treating materials by contact with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel defining an internal chamber and a material admitting opening; a closure for said opening, said closure being movable with respect to said vessel between an open and a sealing position and being located in said internal chamber; and actuating means comprising a movable portion arranged to move from a first position to a second position in response to pressure exerted thereon by compressed fluid, connecting means operatively connecting said movable portion with said closure so that when said movable portion is moved from said first position to said second position said closure is moved in response thereto from said open to said sealing position, and fluid directing means for directing compressed fluid against said movable portion at the same time as compressed fluid is admitted into said chamber so that said movable portion will automatically move said closure to scaling position whenever compressed fluid from said source is admitted into said chamber so that the chamber may receive compressed fluid only when said opening is sealed.

24. An apparatus for contacting materials with compressed fluid, comprising a source of compressed fluid; a pressure vessel having an axis of symmetry, said vessel defining an internal chamber and a material admitting opening; a closure for said opening, said closure being movable with respect to said vessel between an open and a sealing position; means supporting said vessel for rotation about a second axis which is perpendicular to said first mentioned axis, said supporting means comprising a shaft connected with said vessel and having an axial bore and a radial bore communicating with said axial bore; a valved pipe connecting said axial bore with said source; a cylinder arranged coaxially with said vessel, said cylinder having a first portion communicatively connected with said chamber and a spaced second portion; a second pipe connected with the second portion of said cylinder and with said shaft so as to communicate with said radial bore; a piston reciprocably received in and normally sealing the first portion from the second portion of said cylinder; and an operative connection between said piston and said closure to move the closure to said sealing position in response to admission of compressed fluid through said pipes, through said shaft and into said cylinder, said piston permitting compressed fluid to flow through said first cylinder portion and into said chamber only when said closure seals said opening.

25. An apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein said opening is provided at the other axial end of said vessel opposite said cylinder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,015,847 Shields Ian. 30, 1912 2,631,627 Pierson Mar. 17, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 253,241 Great Britain June 17, 1926 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIALS BY CONTACT WITH COMPRESSED FLUID, COMPRISING A SOURCE OF COMPRESSED FLUID; A PRESSURE VESSEL HAVING AN INTERNAL CHAMBER AND A MATERIAL ADMITTING OPENING AND COMPRISING A CLOSURE FOR SAID OPENING, SAID CLOSURE BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN AN OPEN AND A SEALING POSITION; AND ACTUATING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CLOSURE TO SEALING POSITION, SAID ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING A VALVED CONDUIT CONNECTED WITH SAID SOURCE AND HAVING A PORTION COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CHAMBER, AND A PISTON RECIPROCABLE RECEIVED IN SAID CONDUIT AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID CLOSURE TO MOVE THE CLOSURE TO SAID SEALING POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ADMISSION OF COMPRESSED FLUID TO SAID CONDUIT, SAID PISTON SEALING SAID CONDUIT PORTION FROM SAID SOURCE WHEN THE CLOSURE IS IN OPEN POSITION WHEREBY THE FLUID CAN ENTER SAID CHAMBER ONLY WHEN THE CLOSURE SEALS SAID OPENING. 